Skip to content

Personal Auto

Non-Driving Insurance Factors Questioned

Consumers do not think it is fair for auto insurers to use level of education, occupation and lack of previous insurance in setting prices. That’s according to findings from a national survey of more than 1,000 consumers released by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), which opposes insurer use of the these and other factors it says are unrelated to driving and has urged state regulators to restrict their use. CFA said that most major insurers use these types of non-driving factors and said these factors greatly increase premiums for low and moderate income drivers, often by more than 100… Read More »Non-Driving Insurance Factors Questioned

Top 10 Car Technologies

According to researchers at The Hartford and MIT, smart headlights, emergency response systems and reverse monitoring features rank highest in car technologies. As more and more of these features are incorporated into vehicles, we believe that it’s important for drivers to be knowledgeable of and use those technologies that can enhance safe driving capacity, comfort, and confidence. Smart headlights: adjust the range and intensity of light based on the distance of traffic and to reduce glare and improve night vision Emergency response systems: offer quick assistance to drivers in the case of a medical emergency or collision, often allowing emergency… Read More »Top 10 Car Technologies

California Signs Electronic Proof Of Insurance Bill

Yes! It happens right now. We witness a great moment of the history! Gov. Jerry Brown made California the seventh state in the nation to allow drivers to show proof of insurance coverage using their smart phone. Brown on Friday signed Assembly Bill 1708, a bill authored by Assemblyman Gatto, which will give drivers the option to show proof of financial responsibility electronically using a mobile electronic device. “Governor Brown just brought proof of coverage into the 21st Century by signing AB 1708,” said Armand Feliciano, with the Association of California Insurance Companies. “California has long been known as ground zero… Read More »California Signs Electronic Proof Of Insurance Bill

Electronic Proof of Car Insurance

Have you ever got a ticket because you did’t have the proof your current insurance coverage (ID card) with you? Well, good news for residents of 7 U.S. states. As of today – August 6, 2012, 7 states have passed Electronic Proof of Insurance Laws. Alabama Arizona California Colorado Idaho Louisiana Minnesota Mississippi and Maryland have a version of these laws before their state Assemblies. A Great Step Forward for You These laws all make an electronic image of the paper copy of a Proof of Insurance card a legal proof of insurance.  Louisiania’s wording is typical… ” an image of… Read More »Electronic Proof of Car Insurance

CarFax Vehicle History Data Use in Insurance

Carfax Inc. reported that federal officials have approved its patent applications for its auto insurance underwriting and rating system based on vehicle history attributes. CarFax said it expects the patents to be issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office within the next month. Insurance companies use CarFax reports in their underwriting and rating, claims prioritization, total loss valuations, and fraud investigations. CarFax’s systems that are being patented include the access to the vehicle history data and a method for insurers to follow in using that data. According to Carfax, its vehicle history database has more than 10 billion records… Read More »CarFax Vehicle History Data Use in Insurance

Top 10 States Vehicle Theft List

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported 2011 is on track for another consecutive year of declining vehicle thefts, but California still dominates the top 10 list for areas highest auto theft rates. Seven of the top 10 areas were in California, mostly in the central and northern portion of the state. The report is a reflection of vehicle thefts on a per capita basis, and the authors of the report note that an area with a much smaller population and a moderate number of thefts can, and often does, have a higher theft rate than an area with a much… Read More »Top 10 States Vehicle Theft List

California – New Auto Insurance Rates Now Available

Our new California Auto Product delivers more than just rating changes…  In addition to providing a wider range of pricing tiers, we have made other changes to our Auto Product to become the total account solution for your small business customers. We’ve introduced a 10% account credit on Auto when there is an in force Spectrum policy (includes property only policies) – reinforcing our desire to become the total account solution. Only available in California! We have lowered the threshold for schedule rating from 10 vehicles to 1 – providing greater pricing flexibility when warranted. Automatic reporting proof of coverage… Read More »California – New Auto Insurance Rates Now Available

Electric Highway On Its Way

The stretch of 160 miles of Interstate 5 served by eight stations marks the next big step in developing an infrastructure that until now has been limited primarily to chargers in homes and workplaces. The stations go from the California border north to the Oregon city of Cottage Grove and are located at gas stations, restaurants and motels just off the nation’s second-busiest interstate. One is at an inn that was once a stage coach stop. Spaced about every 25 miles, the stations allow a Nissan Leaf with a range of about 70 miles to miss one and still make it to… Read More »Electric Highway On Its Way

Texting While Driving Now Banned in Idaho

At least 35 states and Washington, D.C., ban text messaging by drivers, but efforts to toughen the law in Idaho has struggled to gain traction in recent years.  After several tries and frustrating setbacks, Idaho is set to join the majority of states that have toughened laws against sending text messages while driving. House lawmakers voted 53-17 Tuesday to bar motorists from using smartphones and other hand-held devices to review, prepare or send written communications. Rep. Julie Ellsworth, R-Boise, pushed the plan, saying a strong message from state leaders is needed to curb the deadly and growing habit.

Safe-Driving Campaign in Virginia

According to Associated Press Virginia high schools will be participating in a safe driving campaign. The three-week campaign called “Buckle Up, Driver Sober” is designed to help teens develop long-term safe driving habits. Remember: disciplined teen drivers equals lower insurance premium. Sponsors of the campaign cited statistics that show the majority of teens killed in highway crashes in Virginia were not wearing a safety belt and that 427 teens have died in alcohol-related crashes in Virginia since 2000.